RISE UP at the Lowender Festival in Cornwall
Between 24th and 27th October 2024, the RISE UP project team attended the Lowender Festival, an annual festival celebrating Cornish culture and its connections with other Celtic nations. Held in Redruth, Cornwall, this historic event featured music, dance, workshops, and discussions that brought together enthusiasts and practitioners dedicated to preserving and promoting Cornwall’s unique heritage, including the Cornish language. The RISE UP team participated actively in these festivities, gaining invaluable insights into the current state of the Cornish language and cultural revitalisation.
Lowender, a term signifying celebration, mirth, or festivity in the Cornish language, captures the essence of communal joy and cultural expression. The word itself reflects the vibrant spirit of the activities we experienced at the Festival. Lowender is a cornerstone of Cornwall’s cultural calendar, providing a platform for the arts, language, and traditions of the region. The Festival underscores the interconnectedness of Cornwall’s identity with its Celtic counterparts, such as Wales, Scotland, Ireland, and Brittany. Highlights included music concerts, dance performances, and workshops that showcased the diversity and vitality of these traditions.
The Festival also offered spaces for critical discussions about the challenges and opportunities faced by minority languages like Cornish. For instance, at the Cornish Music Forum, attendees explored the social value of Cornish music in comparison to arts mediated by other Celtic languages, noting how traditional Cornish music holds less societal prestige than its Scottish counterparts, for example. Discussions also highlighted the need for greater political and financial support. Gender inclusivity in traditional songs and the accessibility of archival materials were additional focal points, underlining the multifaceted challenges in normalising and revitalising the language.
RISE UP’s Contribution and Engagement
The RISE UP team used this opportunity to further the project’s mission of supporting endangered and minority languages through community engagement. Team members engaged with festival attendees, conducted interviews, and participated in events to better understand the dynamics of Cornish language revitalisation. Notably, the team explored themes of social inclusion, identity, and the role of language in connecting communities.
During the Festival, the RISE UP team gathered valuable perspectives on the Cornish language movement. Interviews with learners, teachers, artists, enthusiasts, and community leaders revealed both the progress made so far and the challenges still being faced. There was a clear sense of pride and commitment among those involved in promoting Cornish. Many highlighted the importance of integrating the language into everyday life, creating visibility through public signage, media, and arts, and fostering opportunities for people of all ages to learn and use Cornish.
Many people we spoke to emphasised the need for greater funding, broader political support, and increased unity within the community. While there is enthusiasm among learners and advocates, structural barriers such as limited teacher training, geographic isolation, and a lack of accessible resources remain significant hurdles. The Festival itself served as a vital meeting point for building collaboration and showcasing creative ways to bring the language to life through arts, such as music and dance.
Looking Ahead
Lowender Festival provided a powerful reminder of the cultural richness of Cornwall and the communal spirit that drives the Cornish language’s revival. For the RISE UP team, the Festival was not only an opportunity to contribute to ongoing conversations but also to draw inspiration for developing resources and strategies that can support Cornish and other endangered languages in our project. The team remains committed to amplifying the voices of those working tirelessly to keep Cornwall’s linguistic and cultural heritage alive.
Authors: Julia Sallabank & Kingsley Ugwuanyi
Links
https://www.lowender.co.uk/festival/
Keywords
Cornish, Kernewek, Lowender, Festival, Cornwall, Celtic, Culture, Cornish identity, music, dance
